Breakdown of الطلاء الجديد أكثر سوادا من القديم.
الal
the
جديدjadeed
new
قديمqadîm
old
منmin
than
أكثرaktar
more
طلاءtilâ'
paint
سوادsawâd
blackness
Questions & Answers about الطلاء الجديد أكثر سوادا من القديم.
Why do we use أكثر سوادا instead of a direct comparative form of أسود (black)?
In formal Arabic, adjectives for colors and physical traits cannot form a direct comparative. Instead, you must use a comparative helper word like أكثر (more) or أشد (stronger) followed by the verbal noun (masdar) of the color.
Why does the word سوادا (blackness) end with an alif and two fathas?
It is in the accusative case because it acts as a 'tamyiiz' (noun of specification). It specifies exactly in what way the paint is more. When an indefinite noun is in the accusative case, it typically takes a double fatha ending, which requires adding an alif.
If سوادا is the verbal noun for black, what would 'redder' or 'whiter' look like using this same structure?
You would follow the exact same pattern. You use a comparative helper plus the accusative masdar. For example, 'redder' is أكثر حمرة or أشد حمرة, and 'whiter' is أكثر بياضا or أشد بياضا.
How does Arabic handle the English word 'one' in the phrase 'the old one'?
Arabic simply drops it. By making the adjective القديم (old) definite with الـ (the), it can stand alone as a noun meaning 'the old one' or 'the old paint'. You do not need a placeholder word like you do in English.
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